Latch and hinge device

ABSTRACT

A latch device which may simultaneously act as a hinge having a master latch and at least one slave latch. Each latch includes a pair of cooperating members attached to separate wall members which, when engaged, present a series of bores in an axially aligned configuration. By turning a threaded member housed in the master latch an actuator bar may be moved thereby causing a series of tapered pins fixedly connected to the actuator bar to move into the axially aligned bores. The contour of the cooperating latch members enable the latches to act as hinges; i.e., to pivot about the tapered pins.

United States Ellard, Jr.

aten

[4 1 May 23, 1972 The United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Navy [22] Filed: 0ct.5,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 77,960

[72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,006,025 10/1961 Duban..l6/176 2,172,649 9/1939 Claus 2,582,841 l/l952 McEwan ...l6/147 X..292/l57 X Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-R. S,Sciascia and J. A. Cooke [5 7] ABSTRACT A latch device which maysimultaneously act as a hinge having a master latch and at least oneslave latch. Each latch includes a pair of cooperating members attachedto separate wall members which, when engaged, present a series of boresin an axially aligned configuration. By tuming a threaded member housedin the master latch an actuator bar may be moved thereby causing aseries of tapered pins fixedly connected to the actuator bar to moveinto the axially aligned bores. The contour of the cooperating latchmembers enable the latches to act as hinges; i.e., to pivot about thetapered pins.

1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Pat'nfed May 23, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JamesS. Ellard, Jm

INVENTOR FIG,

Patented May 23, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LATCH AND HINGE DEVICE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to latching devicesand more particularly to a latch system which permits relative pivotalmovement between the latched members.

It has frequently been found either desirable or necessary to fix a pairof wall members with respect to each other along their respective edges.For example, in the case of a cylindrical container having a portion ofits wall surface removable therefrom thereby providing an opening foreasy access to the inside of the container, it became necessary toemploy a device for securely fastening that removable portion of thewall surface; i.e., the access member back in position in continuitywith the cylindrical surface of the container. Such a device mustprovide both a positive locking function along the mating surfaces ofthe walls of the container and the access member and, in addition, makefor a quick and facile accessibility to the inside of the container.

In the past, several diverse arrangements have been utilized to satisfysuch requirements. Most commonly, a plurality of fixed, discrete, hingedevices were positioned along one edge of the opening which cooperatedwith the access member and the container wall to allow pivotal movementtherebetween. The opposite edge of the access member usually had a latchpositioned thereon, such, for example, as a conventional pivotal hooktype fastener, which, when moved into position over a stud in thecontainer wall, prevented the access member from inadvertently swingingopen.

In many instances, however, it has been found desirable to have theaccess member entirely removable from the opening. For example, theservicing of electrical equipment which may be positioned within thecontainer requires a maximum of available working space around theopening and very often the hinged access member provided an obstacle toeasy maintenance of such equipment. Obviously, it is not feasible usingthe apparatus previously discussed to accomplish a secure closurebetween the two surfaces while providing either a pivotally openableaccess member and, in addition, a

completely removable access member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of this invention is toprovide a new and improved latching device.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a new andimproved latching system which may positively secure one member toanother member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved latching system which permits pivotal movement between latchedmembers.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a latching systemwhich enables quick and facile unlatching.

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, these andother objects are attained by providing a master latch and at least oneslave latch positioned in a line therewith on the members desired to belatched. The slave latches are coupled to the master latch and to eachother by a common actuator bar, the movement of which selectivelyengages or disengages the latch components thereby locking or unlockingthe members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A more complete appreciation of theinvention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of the overall latching system in anunpivoted condition according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the latching system in a pivotal mode; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an application of the latching to acylindrical container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate identical or correspondingparts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIGs. 1 and2 thereof, the latching and hinge system of the present invention isshown as including a master latch and a plurality of slave latches 12(only one of which is shown) cooperating with a rectangular actuator bar14 in a manner which will he more fully described hereinafter.

Because of the great similarity between the slave latch 12 and themaster latch 10, parts on the slave latch will be denoted by the samenumerals primed as the corresponding parts of the master latch. Themaster latch 10 includes first and second similarly shaped latch members16 and 18 fixed by conventional means, such for example, as rivets 20,to the external surfaces 22 and 24 of two walls 25 and 27 of a containerhaving edges nearly abutting at 26. Each latch member includes a rigidbase plate 28 of a generally rectangular shape whose under surface 30 isformed to conform with the surface of the wall to which it is to beattached.

Formed centrally and extending transversely across base plates 28 oflatch members 16 and 18 are male latching portion 32 and female latchingportion 34, respectively. Each latching portion includes flange members38 and 40 of gradually increasing perpendicular height adjacentextremities 42 and 44, respectively, of which are cantilevered overfrontal edges 36 of base plates 28. Extremity 42 of male latchingportion 32 includes a projection 45 having a smooth circular bore 46formed therethrough and further having an arcuate-shaped edge 48.Extremity 44 of the female latching portion 34 comprises two projections50 and 52 which define an intermediate recess 54 adapted to receive maleprojection 45. Projections 50 and 52 each have formed therethrough asmooth circular bore 56 and each projection has an arcuate shaped edge58 similar to the edge 48 of male projection 45. Further, a secondsmooth circular bore 60' is formed through female extremity 44 of themaster latch 10 on an axis parallel to the axis of bores 56.

The slave latch 12 is of the same general configuration as the masterlatch 10, the only difference therebetween being that the femaleextremity 44' of female flange member 40' does not have a borecorresponding to bore 60 of female flange member 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the relative positioning of the latch membersis such that when the walls of the container are in the unpivotedposition shown in FIG. 2, i.e. the edges of the walls 25 and 27 areproximate but not abutting as at 26, the male projection 45 of latchmember 16 is seated within the recess 54 on latch member 18. When inthis position, it is further to be noted that the bore 46 is axiallyaligned with the bores 56. The positioning of base plates 28 on theirrespective wall surface are such that the edge 36 of base portion 28 ofthe latch member 18 is at a greater distance from the point of rearabutment 26 of the edges of the walls 25 and 27 than the edge 36 of baseportion 28 of the latch member 16. This particular positioning providesroom for the actuator bar 14 to be seated between the edge 36 of latchmember 18 and abutting edges 26.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the slave latch 12 is located on thesurfaces 22 and 24 in the same manner as the master latch 10 and,further, the componential latch members 16' and 18' are positioned withrespect to themselves in the same fashion as the master latch 10. Due tothis positioning, the bores 46', 50' and 52, in addition to beingaxially aligned with each other are also axially aligned with thecorresponding bores 46, 50 and 52 in the master latch 10.

The actuator bar 14 is positioned adjacent and parallel to the edges 36and 36 of body portions 18 and 18 below the cantilevered right flangemember extremities 44 and 44. Bar 14 is prevented from deflecting in adirection perpendicular to the cylindrical surfaces 22 and 24 byclearance slots 61 (of which is shown in FIG. 1) formed in the bar 14provided midway between adjacent master-slave latches which cooperatewith conventional fasteners 62 connected to the wall 27 having enlargedhead portions 65 which restrain and fasten the bar 14 to the containerwall. Slots 61 are elongated in the direction of the axis of the boresin the latch projections to permit movement of the bar 14 in a directionparallel thereto and in a manner to be described presently.

Adjacent each master and slave latch and fixed to the bar 14 byconventional means, such for example, as by welds 63 (H6. 3) aresubstantially cube-shaped blocks 64. Each block 64 contains a throughbore 68 axially aligned with the bores 50, 45 and 52 which fixedlyhouses an elongate pin 66. The block 64 adjacent the master latchfurther includes a threaded bore 80 formed therethrough which is axiallyaligned with bore 60 of the female extremity 44. Pin 66 includes anoffset taper 70 on its free end (FIG. 1) and has a circularcross-section for reasons which will become clearer. When projection 45is seated within recess 54 the pin 66 may be positioned within thealigned bores 50, 45 and 52. The tapered end 70 of the pin serves tocorrect any slight misalignment of bores as it is passed therethrough.When pins 66 are positioned within the bores in the respective latches,the latches may be said to be in an engaged condition.

In order to disengage the latches, the pins 66 must be withdrawn fromthe bores within which they are positioned during latch engagement. Thisis accomplished by turning an elongate partially threaded cylindricalmember 72 having an enlarged head portion 73 to facilitate the turningthereof rotatably positioned within the smooth bore 60 in latch member18 of master latch 10. The cylindrical member 72 includes a smoothportion 74 which is retained within bore 60 by a circular lock nutmember 76 fixed to the cylindrical member 72 adjacent and abutting anedge of the female latching portion 34 and a threaded shank portion 78which extends beyond the lock nut member 76 and cooperates with thethreaded through bore 80 in block 64 adjacent the master latch 10. Uponrotating the socket head member 72 in one direction a predeterminednumber of turns, the block 64 is caused to move away from master latch10 and concomittently causes the actuator bar 14 to move therebywithdrawing pins 66 from their respective latch bores and effectingdisengagement of the latches. Conversely, rotating the cylindricalmember 72 in the opposite direction causes the actuator bar 14 to bedrawn toward the master latch 10 thereby allowing the pins 66 to bepositioned within their associated latch bores thereby effectingengagement of the latches.

Referring now to FIG. 4 wherein the latch system is shown in its engagedmode, the wall 25 may be considered as an access member to gain entrywithin a container. Since pins 66 are circular in cross-section, theymay serve, when the latches are engaged, as hinge pins to allow the wall25 to be pivotally rotated relative to wall 27 of the container. Thearcuateshaped edges 48 of projection 45 assure no interference of thatprojection with the actuator bar 14. Similarly, should it be desired torotate wall 27 in lieu of the wall 25, the arcuate edge 58 would alsoassure the absence of any interference. It is therefore seen that both alatching and hinge function is provided by the latching mechanism of thepresent invention.

The latch members may be fabricated as a forging with each half of eachlatch made from a common forging. The differences in configuration canbe machined thereby providing a better mating of the two halves.

Referring to FIG. 5 wherein a cylindrical container 82 having an accessplate 84 latched to the container wall 86 by two rows of latches 88 and90 of the present invention. Should it be desired to open the accessmember 84, it is only necessary to disengage one line of latches, sayline 88, and then pivotally rotate t e plate 84 about the other line 90.If it 15 found to be necessary to remove the access plate completelyfrom the container, it is merely required to disengage the line oflatches 90 and lift the member 84 out.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the ap pended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A latch and hinge device for latching two wall members comprising:

a master latch and at least one slave latch, each of said latchesincluding a first base member connected to a first wall member and asecond base member connected to a second wall member, each of said basemembers having overlyingly fixed thereto a latching portion including atleast one projection having a bore formed therein, said bores adapted tobe axially aligned upon engagement of said base members;

said first base member connected to the first wall member so that saidprojection formed thereon does not extend over the end edge of saidfirst wall member and said second base member connected to said secondwall member so that said projection formed thereon extends beyond theedge ofsecond wall member;

latch engaging means including an elongate bar slideably mounted on saidfirst wall member substantially between said first wall member and saidprojections formed on said first base member, said elongate bar havingat least two spaced rod members fixed to blocks attached to said bar insubstantial adjacent relationship to said latches, said rods receivablewithin said axially aligned bores; and

means for actuating said engaging means including an elongatecylindrical member having a smooth portion and a threaded portion, saidsmooth portion rotatably positioned within an aperture formed in saidprojection formed on said first base member of said master latch, andsaid threaded portion received in a threaded bore formed in the blockmember in adjacent relationship to said master latch, whereby rotationof said elongate cylindrical member effects the sliding of said barrelative to said projection to insert said rods into said aligned bores.

1. A latch and hinge device for latching two wall members comprising: amaster latch and at least one slave latch, each of said latchesincluding a first base member connected to a first wall member and asecond base member connected to a second wall member, each of said basemembers having overlyingly fixed thereto a latching portion including atleast one projection having a bore formed therein, said bores adapted tobe axially aligned upon engagement of said base members; said first basemember connected to the first wall member so that said projection formedthereon does not extend over the end edge of said first wall member andsaid second base member connected to said second wall member so thatsaid projection formed thereon extends beyond the edge of second wallmember; latch engaging means including an elongate bar slideably mountedon said first wall member substantially between said first wall memberand said projections formed on said first base member, said elongate barhaving at least two spaced rod members fixed to blocks attached to saidbar in substantial adjacent relationship to said latches, said rodsreceivable within said axially aligned bores; and means for actuatingsaid engaging means including an elongate cylindrical member having asmooth portion and a threaded portion, said smooth portion rotatablypositioned within an aperture formed in said projection formed on saidfirst base member of said master latch, and said threaded portionreceived in a threaded bore formed in the block member in adjacentrelationship to said master latch, whereby rotation of said elongatecylindrical member effects the sliding of said bar relative to saidprojection to insert said rods into said aligned bores.